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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 116 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. The tickets are free of ________________.
  4. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  5. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  6. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  9. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  10. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  11. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  12. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  13. That was ________________ to happen.
  14. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  15. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  16. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  17. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  18. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  19. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  20. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  21. That was a fun ________________.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. Have you met the new head ________________?
  24. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. charge — a price
  4. wake — to stop sleeping
  5. charge — electricity
  6. wake — a trail
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. game — wild animals
  9. charge — in control
  10. game — a kind of play
  11. bound — tied together
  12. coach — a trainer
  13. bound — certain
  14. leaves — lets stay
  15. bound — obliged
  16. coach — pulled by horses
  17. leaves — to go away
  18. bowl — a football final
  19. bowl — to roll
  20. wake — before a funeral
  21. game — a match
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. coach — a trainer
  24. bowl — a dish

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com